Colonel Roger T. Cotton
1965-2019
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of
Colonel Roger T. Cotton, age 54, of
Wallace, NS, and formerly of Springhill, NS. Roger passed away on
Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital,
Tatamagouche.
Born in Oshawa, Ontario, he was a son of John (Darlene)
Cotton, Athol, and the late Sarah Jane (Moran) Cotton.
Colonel Roger Cotton was born in Oshawa, Ontario and raised
in Springhill, Nova Scotia. He joined the Canadian Forces in June 1983
under the Regular Officer Training Program and attended St Francis
Xavier University in Antigonish and the Technical University of Nova
Scotia (now DalTech) in Halifax, receiving a Bachelor’s
degree in Computer Science. After completing Armour officer training,
he joined The Royal Canadian Dragoons in Petawawa in 1987. He married
Elizabeth Quinn, also from Springhill, that same year.
He has held various Regimental command and staff appointments
in both tank and reconnaissance environments, culminating with command
of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Reconnaissance Squadron during Op PALLADIUM (Bosnia) Roto 8. Other key
appointments have included instructional duties at the Canadian Forces
Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, Chief Instructor of the
Tactics School in Gagetown and appointments as Directing Staff and
member of the Formation Operations Centre of Excellence at the
Canadian Army Command and Staff College in Kingston. Formation-level
staff appointments have included G3 Plans and G3 Operations of 2
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Petawawa, J5 of Joint Task Force
Afghanistan Headquarters and J5 then J3 of 1st Canadian Division
Headquarters in Kingston. He commanded the Tactics School at the
Combat Training Centre in Gagetown from June 2008 until July 2010. He
has participated in overseas missions in Cyprus (1989), Bosnia (1995
and 2001), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2001) and
Afghanistan (2010-2011).
Colonel Cotton completed Command and Staff Course 31 at the
Canadian Forces College in Toronto in 2004 where he was awarded a
Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military
College of Canada. He has been awarded the Chief of Defence Staff,
Commander Canadian Army and Commander Combined Joint Operations
Command Commendations.
Colonel Cotton completed Italian language training at the
Canadian Forces Language School in Asticou, PQ. He was then
posted to Rome, Italy as the Defence Attache at the Canadian
Embassy.
In addition to his father and step mother, he will be deeply
missed by his wife, the former Elizabeth Quinn, Wallace, NS;
daughters, Amanda (Eric Turenne), Ottawa, ON and Amy, Toronto, ON;
brother, Alton (Holly), Springhill, NS; nephew Lucas Cotton and niece
Kenesha (Bradley) McCormick; several aunts, uncles, and
cousins.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance
of A.H. Brown Funeral Home, 5
McFarlane Street, Springhill, NS, (902-597-2361). A Regimental Funeral
will be held at the St. Andrews Wesley United Church, Springhill, NS,
on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 2 pm. All are invited to attend.
Burial will take place in the Athol Cemetery at a later
date.
Donations in memory of Roger may be made to the Canadian
Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family
by visiting Roger’s online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com
or through the A.H. Brown Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Colonel Roger T Cotton 19652019..
Death notice for the town of: Springhill, Province: Nova Scotia